Feb. 1 letters to the editor

Regarding the CHP decision to extend patrols in Oakland one month after its 90-day stay:

Perhaps after that period, it can start patrolling on I-580 to aggressively target the speeding cars and the endless parade of big-rig trucks. I do believe that the freeways are the CHP's jurisdiction, correct?

Annette M. Thompson

Oakland

Supporting our local businesses essential

I feel strongly about supporting local businesses. My local neighborhood is Montclair, and you have probably seen me and my friends sitting in front of the Malt Shop with our dogs, enjoying our coffee. I buy coffee at the Malt Shop; first, because it's excellent coffee and, secondly, because I believe in supporting local businesses.

I heard that the rent is going up for tenants in the building where the Malt Shop resides, and this means in all probability that the Malt Shop will have to close. It already pays more per square foot than Peet's and Starbucks.

I feel terrible every time I see a great, local business in Montclair have to close because the property owners want more money. Really?

I encourage everyone to try the coffee at the Malt Shop, eat at Grille One and Flippers, and to support all local businesses. I also ask that property owners think twice before they drive local businesses away. I don't want to see Montclair become nothing but Realtors, chain stores and chain restaurants.

Janis Bishop

Oakland

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Work visas for immigrants?

I was thinking about the immigration situation and an idea came to me.

What if each state were able to issue work visas? They would allow a potential immigrant the right to work in that state for, say, five years. After that, there would be a track to citizenship.

It would allow us here in California, and each other state, the right to decide how many and what kind of immigrants we want, without interference from the prejudices and agendas of people in other states.

I think it would work.

Steve Dufour

Walnut Creek

Not fair to limit rehab at hospital

I have been a patient and supporter of Washington Hospital for more than 40 years and as such feel duty bound to write this letter about the discriminatory situation presently affecting patients.

Many of our medical community are aware and distressed with the unfair manner in which the new publicly funded joint replacement wing is being utilized.

Let me explain. I recently had a very successful double knee bilateral surgery performed at Washington Hospital, and fully expected to recuperate and receive therapy and rehab instruction in the new wing.

This was not the case, as the new multimillion, three-story publicly funded wing is used only by the patients of Drs. Dearborn and Sau. My therapy and rehab instruction took place in a dimly lit hallway in the existing hospital, and was not at all comparable to the new wing therapy area.

The hospital's position is that only these two surgeons meet the very narrow criteria they established. This criteria effectively exclude all other staff surgeons and their patients from rehabbing in the new wing.

The new wing may well be a cash cow for the hospital, but should revenue come before patients using the wing they paid for?